U.S. Sikhs, Lawmakers Protest Basketball Ban On Turbans

Friday, 29 August 2014, 22:10 IST | 4 Comments

The players, who have always played in turbans, were told that they were in violation of one of FIBA's official rules, which states, "Players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players."

However, other sports leagues, such as Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), allow athletes wearing turbans to participate.

Last week, Crowley and Bera joined several members of Congress in wring a letter to FIBA president urging the board to update its policies to stop requiring Sikhs to remove their turbans during basketball games.

"It is disappointing that FIBA has decided to let bureaucracy stand in the way of progress and religious freedom," two community organisations, Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF) and the Sikh Coalition said.

"While FIBA presents itself as a representative of global sport this weekend, Sikh players will still be forced to choose between playing a game they love and following their religious beliefs," they said.

The incident involving the two Sikh players has also sparked a social media campaign using the hashtag #LetSikhsPlay.

The two organisations said they will continue to promote the hashtag on Facebook and Twitter.

Expressing shock at "FIBA's arrogance and insensitivity" the Sikh Coalition also encouraged "turbaned Sikhs and their friends throughout the world to participate in our #CallFoulonFIBA video campaign."

Source: IANS

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U.S. Sikhs, Lawmakers Protest Basketball Ban On Turbans